# North Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. The country sent 63 athletes, competing in 11 sports.
North and South Korea had initially intended to send a joint delegation to the Games, but were unable to agree on the details of its implementation. (see South Korea at the 2008 Summer Olympics)
Reportedly, North Korean athletes were barred by their government from mingling with other athletes at the Olympic Village, or from leaving the Village to sightsee.

## Medalists

| Medal | Name | Sport | Event |
| Gold | Pak Hyon-suk | Weightlifting | Women's 63 kg |
| Gold | Hong Un-jong | Gymnastics | Women's vault |
| Silver | An Kum-ae | Judo | Women's 52 kg |
| Silver | O Jong-ae | Weightlifting | Women's 58 kg |
| Bronze | Pak Chol-min | Judo | Men's 66 kg |
| Bronze | Won Ok-im | Judo | Women's 63 kg |

## Archery

North Korea sent archers to the Olympics for the fifth time, after not qualifying any for the 2004 Games. Two North Korean women sought the nation's first Olympic medal in the sport. Kwon Un Sil and Son Hye-Yong earned the country two places in the women's individual competition by placing 9th and 24th, respectively, at the 2007 World Outdoor Target Championships.
| Athlete | Event | Ranking round | Ranking round | Round of 64 | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Score | Seed | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Kwon Un-sil | Women's individual | 656 | 5 | Abtin (IRI) (60) W 106–96 | Vardineni (IND) (37) W 106–99 | Román (MEX) (12) W 105–100 | Avitia (MEX) (20) W 105–99 | Park S-H (KOR) (1) L 106–109 | Yun O-H (KOR) (2) L 106–109 | 4 |
| Son Hye-Yong | Women's individual | 618 | 45 | Avitia (MEX) (20) L 107–112 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Athletics
### Key

* Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
* Q = Qualified for the next round
* q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
* NR = National record
* N/A = Round not applicable for the event
* Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

### Men

| Athlete | Event | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank |
| Kim Il-nam | Marathon | 2:21:51 | 42 |
| Pak Song-chol | Marathon | 2:21:16 | 40 |
| Ri Kum-song | Marathon | 2:19:08 | 33 |

### Women

| Athlete | Event | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank |
| Jo Bun-hui | Marathon | 2:37:04 | 48 |
| Jong Yong-ok | Marathon | 2:34:52 | 36 |
| Kim Kum-ok | Marathon | 2:30:01 | 12 |

## Boxing

North Korea qualified one boxer for the Olympic boxing tournament. Kim Song Guk qualified in the lightweight class at the 2007 World Championships.
| Athlete | Event | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Kim Song-guk | Lightweight | Sow (FRA) L 3–13 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Diving
### Men

| Athlete | Events | Preliminaries | Preliminaries | Semifinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Events | Points | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | Rank |
| Kim Chon-man | 10 m platform | 328.85 | 30 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

### Women

| Athlete | Events | Preliminaries | Preliminaries | Semifinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Events | Points | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | Rank |
| Kim Jin-ok | 10 m platform | 291.90 | 18 Q | 259.40 | 17 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Kim Un-hyang | 10 m platform | 316.20 | 13 Q | 267.00 | 16 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Choe Kum-hui Kim Un-hyang | 10 m synchronized platform | — | — | — | — | 308.10 | 6 |

## Football
### Women's tournament
#### Roster

Head coach: Kim Kwang-min
North Korea named a squad of 18 players and no alternates for the tournament.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Jon Myong-hui | (1986-08-07)7 August 1986 (aged 21) | Rimyongsu |
| 2 | 3MF | Kim Kyong-hwa | (1986-03-28)28 March 1986 (aged 22) | April 25 |
| 3 | 2DF | Om Jong-ran | (1985-10-10)10 October 1985 (aged 22) | April 25 |
| 4 | 2DF | Jang Yong-ok | (1982-09-17)17 September 1982 (aged 25) | April 25 |
| 5 | 2DF | Song Jong-sun | (1981-03-11)11 March 1981 (aged 27) | Amrokkang |
| 6 | 4FW | Kim Ok-sim | (1987-07-02)2 July 1987 (aged 21) | Rimyongsu |
| 7 | 3MF | Ho Sun-hui | (1980-03-05)5 March 1980 (aged 28) | Amrokkang |
| 8 | 4FW | Kil Son-hui | (1986-03-07)7 March 1986 (aged 22) | Rimyongsu |
| 9 | 3MF | Ri Un-suk | (1986-01-01)1 January 1986 (aged 22) | April 25 |
| 10 | 4FW | Ri Kum-suk (captain) | (1978-08-16)16 August 1978 (aged 29) | April 25 |
| 11 | 3MF | Ri Un-gyong | (1980-11-19)19 November 1980 (aged 27) | Wolmido |
| 12 | 2DF | Ri Un-hyang | (1988-05-15)15 May 1988 (aged 20) | Amrokkang |
| 13 | 2DF | Yu Jong-hui | (1986-03-21)21 March 1986 (aged 22) | April 25 |
| 14 | 2DF | Jang Il-ok | (1986-10-10)10 October 1986 (aged 21) | April 25 |
| 15 | 2DF | Sonu Kyong-sun | (1983-09-28)28 September 1983 (aged 24) | April 25 |
| 16 | 2DF | Kong Hye-ok | (1983-07-19)19 July 1983 (aged 25) | April 25 |
| 17 | 4FW | Kim Yong-ae | (1983-03-07)7 March 1983 (aged 25) | April 25 |
| 18 | 1GK | Han Hye-yong | (1985-03-04)4 March 1985 (aged 23) | Pyongyang City |

#### Group play

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 | Qualified for the quarterfinals |
| 2 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 7 | Qualified for the quarterfinals |
| 3 | North Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | |

## Gymnastics
### Artistic
#### Women

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Qualification | Final | Final | Final | Final | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Apparatus | Apparatus | Apparatus | Apparatus | Total | Rank | Apparatus | Apparatus | Apparatus | Apparatus | Total | Rank |
| Athlete | Event | F | V | UB | BB | Total | Rank | F | V | UB | BB | Total | Rank |
| Cha Yong-hwa | Vault | — | 13.750 | — | — | 13.750 | =74 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Cha Yong-hwa | Uneven bars | — | — | 15.175 | — | 15.175 | 12 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Hong Un-jong | All-around | 13.850 | 15.650 | 14.100 | 12.825 | 56.425 | 41 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Hong Un-jong | Vault | — | 15.725 | — | — | 15.725 | 2 Q | — | 15.650 | — | — | 15.650 | |

## Judo

North Korea will send six judoka to Beijing, including:

### Men

| Athlete | Event | Preliminary | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Repechage 1 | Repechage 2 | Repechage 3 | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Kim Kyong-jin | −60 kg | Bye | Norbert (MAD) W 1000–0000 | Davtyan (ARM) W 0022–0000 | Paischer (AUT) L 0000–0020 | Did not advance | Bye | Fallon (GBR) L 0001–0100 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Pak Chol-min | −66 kg | Bye | Nurmuhammedow (TKM) W 1000–0000 | Casale (ITA) W 0010–0001 | Dias (POR) W 0002–0000 | Darbelet (FRA) L 0001–0210 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Sharipov (UZB) W 0100–0001 | |
| Kim Chol-su | −73 kg | — | Girones (CUB) W 1000–0001 | Kevkhishvili (GEO) W 0111–0110 | Mammadli (AZE) L 0000–0200 | Did not advance | Bye | van Tichelt (BEL) L 0000–1011 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

### Women

| Athlete | Event | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Repechage 1 | Repechage 2 | Repechage 3 | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Pak Ok-song | −48 kg | Bye | Hormigo (POR) W 0100–0000 | Nurgazina (KAZ) W 0011–0001 | Bermoy (CUB) L 0000–1021 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Pareto (ARG) L 0001–0100 | 5 |
| An Kum-ae | −52 kg | Mestre (CUB) W 0201–0000 | Velázquez (VEN) W 0010–0001 | Kaliyeva (KAZ) W 0200–0000 | Nakamura (JPN) W 0001–0000 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Xian (CHN) L 0001–0011 | |
| Kye Sun-Hui | −57 kg | Filzmoser (AUT) W 1001–0001 | Harel (FRA) L 0010–0101 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Won Ok-Im | −63 kg | Bye | Krukower (ARG) W 0020–0010 | Willeboordse (NED) W 0200–0000 | Décosse (FRA) L 0000–0211 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Heill (AUT) W 0110–0001 | |

## Shooting

North Korea will be represented by six shooters, including Kim Jong-su, who won bronze in the men's 50m pistol in Athens. Kim Jong-su, who originally won a silver medal in the men's 50 metre pistol and a bronze medal in the men's 10 metre air pistol, was tested positive for the banned substance of propranolol, and subsequently stripped off his medals.

### Men

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Qualification | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Points | Rank | Points | Rank |
| Kim Jong-su | 10 m air pistol | 584 | 3 Q | 683 | DSQ |
| Kim Jong-su | 50 m pistol | 563 | 2 Q | 660.2 | DSQ |
| Kwon Tong-hyok | 10 m air pistol | 575 | 26 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Ryu Myong-yon | 50 m pistol | 551 | 27 | Did not advance | Did not advance |

### Women

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Qualification | Final | Final |
| Athlete | Event | Points | Rank | Points | Rank |
| Jo Yong-suk | 10 m air pistol | 382 | 15 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Jo Yong-suk | 25 m pistol | 584 | 4 Q | 783.4 | 6 |
| Pak Jong-ran | Skeet | 66 | 9 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Pak Yong-hui | Trap | 56 | 18 | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Synchronized swimming

| Athlete | Event | Technical routine | Technical routine | Free routine (preliminary) | Free routine (preliminary) | Free routine (preliminary) | Free routine (final) | Free routine (final) | Free routine (final) |
| Athlete | Event | Points | Rank | Points | Total (technical + free) | Rank | Points | Total (technical + free) | Rank |
| Kim Yong-mi Wang Ok-gyong | Duet | 42.917 | 16 | 43.584 | 86.501 | 16 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Table tennis

| Athlete | Event | Preliminary round | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Jang Song-man | Men's singles | Aguirre (PAR) W 4–0 | Liu S (ARG) W 4–2 | He Z W (ESP) W 4–2 | Li C (HKG) L 1–4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Kim Hyok-bong | Men's singles | Al-Hasan (KUW) W 4–2 | Monteiro (BRA) W 4–1 | Chiang P-L (TPE) W 4–2 | Boll (GER) L 1–4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Ri Chol-Guk | Men's singles | Bye | Gardos (AUT) L 3–4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Kim Jong | Women's singles | Bye | Ramos (VEN) W 4–0 | Dodean (ROU) W 4–1 | Park M-Y (KOR) L 0–4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Kim Mi-yong | Women's singles | Bye | Paškauskienė (LTU) L 3–4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Weightlifting
### Men

| Athlete | Event | Snatch | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Clean & Jerk | Total | Rank |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Total | Rank |
| Cha Kum-chol | −56 kg | 128 | 5 | 155 | 5 | 283 | 5 |
| Ri Kyong-sok | −56 kg | 122 | DNF | — | — | — | DNF |
| Im Yong-su | −62 kg | 138 | 3 | 168 | DNF | 138 | DNF |
| Kim Chol-jin | −69 kg | 146 | =8 | 180 | 6 | 326 | 6 |

### Women

| Athlete | Event | Snatch | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Clean & Jerk | Total | Rank |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Total | Rank |
| O Jong-ae | −58 kg | 95 | 6 | 131 | 2 | 226 | |
| Pak Hyon-suk | −63 kg | 106 | 2 | 135 | 1 | 241 | |
| Hong Yong-ok | −69 kg | 103 | DNF | — | — | — | DNF |

## Wrestling

Key:
* VT - Victory by Fall.
* PP - Decision by Points - the loser with technical points.
* PO - Decision by Points - the loser without technical points.

### Men's freestyle

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Round of 16 | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Repechage 1 | Repechage 2 | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Yang Kyong-il | −55 kg | Bye | Sevdimov (AZE) L 1–3 $^{PP}$ | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | 12 |
| Yang Chun-song | −66 kg | Bye | Batyrov (BLR) L 1–3 $^{PP}$ | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | 15 |

### Men's Greco-Roman

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Round of 16 | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Repechage 1 | Repechage 2 | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Cha Kwang-su | −55 kg | Bye | Hernández (CUB) L 1–3 $^{PP}$ | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | 15 |